Those chasing the second quaddie at Invercargill on Sunday will find it hard to go past Major Hippie as an anchor in the last leg.
The three year old son of Art Major from team All Stars debuted at Winton a fortnight ago and from five off the gate gave nothing else a chance of claiming the lead. Completing the 2400 metre trip in 2:55.3, Major Hippie ran home from the 800 in 57.6 and was going so well, driver Tim Williams didn't have to activate the removable deafeners.
Matt Anderson will be in charge on Sunday and that's not the only change. The grandson of Hot Shoe Shuffle goes from five on the second line and this week, all his opposition have been winners, some up to three times. However, Major Hippie looks well equipped to overcome such factors in his final hit-out before next week's group two Southern Supremacy Stakes.
While labelling the last quaddie leg looks straight forward, getting there doesn't. The third leg is full of quality runners and a spread looks essential.
Mongolian Storm returns to the scene of his most recent victory after battling the big-boys in his past two and will be competitive again. G I Joe is back to the mobile after breaking at the stand-start last time in his first race for nine months. After settling well back in the New Zealand record run 2400 at Winton, his bold finish for third was eye-catching. Seaswift Joy is near the top of the best three year old fillies around nationwide and has the ability to cope with this line-up, even after starting from the outside of the front line.
Those three look the class acts but there are others to consider. Baileys Knight has drawn one and looked good last time at Winton. Delight My Soul is at the top of her game but often neglected by punters. It Ain't The Money goes from the inside of the second line in just his second go this year. In his first, he drew out in a strong field at Winton, went back and was held up while the leaders sped away. Jimmy Mack will need favours from the outside draw but is a genuine competitor.
The second leg is a 2200 metre handicap trot and while the spread in quality from front to back is massive, twice round Ascot Park doesn't give the handicap runners much time to catch up. For all that, Moment Of Sun, Jen Jaccka and Pyramid Magic are needed but places found also for Another Delight and Overcast.
Sunday's second quaddie opens with an R47 to R52 mobile 2200 and the ultra-consistent Navajo Art looks a ready-made favourite. He has drawn 10 and that may not help his task but he was placed from the same draw in his previous start on the track. Just Wish and Cullens Avenue have to contend with draws on the outside of the second line but with reasonable trips can be in the finish. Andrew Armour has a runner at Ascot Park again in Happy Styx, who brings Canterbury form south, while if looking for longer odds, Jabali is not the worst.
Mac Henry